Still no timetable, but doctors clear John Wall to start “ramping up” activity

John Wall’s return to the NBA from a stress fracture in his patella is not going to come with the lightning speed of him on the dribble. No, it’s going to come in small, measured steps.

Which is what the Wizards announced Friday through a statement from the team physician, Dr. David Altchek, as reported at CSNWashington.com.

“John’s examination today showed improvement in his stress injury that will allow him to begin ramping up his activity level. There is still some irritation in the knee which we have treated over his last several visits with a series of three lubricating Synvisc injections, the last of which was given today. He will continue to be evaluated on an ongoing basis.”

What does that mean? Small steps.

There is running and conditioning and a lot of steps to get back on the practice court, then eventually into games. This means Wall can start to get on that path. But as my man Ben Standig at CSN notes, that is very different from a timetable.

Meanwhile, the Wizards are a league worst 3-16. Which means there is no reason to rush Wall’s process — the playoffs ship has sailed (Washington is 7.5 games out of the playoffs just 19 games into the season and would need to leapfrog seven teams to get the 8 seed). Time to think long term, and Wall’s long-term health.

Of course, Wall is eligible for a contract extension this summer. That is not a conversation the Wizards are ready to have.